This action-packed feature is interesting for several reasons. In its time, it probably got the most attention for featuring the real-life robber Al Jennings, as he re-created a bank robbery in his new career as an actor. While that and the rousing chase scenes would already make it worth watching, the movie also made use of some resourceful techniques.
The re-creation is very detailed, and it is worth watching closely to see the detail even in the background. The re-enactment itself is also rather thorough, beginning with the gang's preparations. The realism throughout is pretty convincing.
It also makes use of then relatively new techniques like panning. The panning shots are sometimes rather jerky, but they are well-conceived. There's a particularly good one towards the beginning that gives a good view of the whole town as the camera follows a horse riding out of town. At other times, during the chase sequences they keep the camera fixed as first one group and then another goes by. It works well in conveying the pace of the pursuit.
There are a lot of interesting features to this, and with a little restoration, and perhaps some new inter-titles to make the action a little clearer, it could be quite a fine feature. Even as it is, it's more than worth seeing for anyone with an interest in the movies of the era.
The re-creation is very detailed, and it is worth watching closely to see the detail even in the background. The re-enactment itself is also rather thorough, beginning with the gang's preparations. The realism throughout is pretty convincing.
It also makes use of then relatively new techniques like panning. The panning shots are sometimes rather jerky, but they are well-conceived. There's a particularly good one towards the beginning that gives a good view of the whole town as the camera follows a horse riding out of town. At other times, during the chase sequences they keep the camera fixed as first one group and then another goes by. It works well in conveying the pace of the pursuit.
There are a lot of interesting features to this, and with a little restoration, and perhaps some new inter-titles to make the action a little clearer, it could be quite a fine feature. Even as it is, it's more than worth seeing for anyone with an interest in the movies of the era.